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People who say cats aren’t very expressive and are impossible to gauge just don’t have a clue. A cat’s ears, eyes, body posture and, in particular, her tail, express exactly what she’s thinking and how she’s feeling. You just have to “listen” to cat tail language.

“Since cats are such different animals from us, understanding how they communicate isn’t something that comes naturally to humans,” says Kelly C. Ballantyne, D.V.M., D.A.C.V.B., clinical assistant professor at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in Urbana-Champaign. “It is important that all cat owners take the time to learn because understanding how cats communicate helps us to understand them better. Once we know their body language, we can read their emotions, identify situations that cause them distress or pleasure and even identify an illness sooner.”

Once you take the time to learn and understand your cat’s “language” and realize that careful study is vital to both your and your pet’s happiness in the home, you’ll be amazed at the myriad — and very clear — signals and emotions your feline companion shares with you.

Cat tail language: The basics

Thankfully, animal behaviorists like Dr. Ballantyne have done exhaustive research to help guide pet owners to understand the finer points of cat tail language.

“Tails can move quickly or slowly,” she says. “A flicking or lashing tail signals that the cat is agitated, while a slowly waving tail indicates the cat is focused on something (i.e., about to pounce on a toy). “The tail-up posture — tail straight up with a slight curve at the end — is a signal that the cat is approaching amicably,” Ballantyne continues. “This posture, witnessed among feline friends, is a common way cats greet their humans.

“Cats may curve their tail around people they are bonded to and may intertwine their tails with other cats they’re bonded to. This is called an affiliative behavior.

“Cats tuck their tails under or next to their body when they are feeling frightened. They often are crouching with their heads tucked in at the same time. We also can see these behaviors when they’re feeling pain.”

But learning cat tail language is like learning any foreign language: It takes time. If you are new to it, you can be confused by what various tail movements and positions indicate and inadvertently upset or confound your cat.

Petting your cat around the tail area

While learning cat tail language is a must for cat owners, actually petting the cat around the area of the tail (the base of the tail or the tail itself) is not appreciated by most cats, Ballantyne says. Rather, focus all petting and scratching around the chin and ears, she adds.

Further, if during a petting session your cat’s tail starts twitching or lashing, her ears are turning back or she’s leaning away from you, these all are signals that your companion is done with this interaction, Ballantyne explains. Cats share pretty clear messages about how they’re feeling at any given moment with one of their most expressive body parts. If you take the time and effort to learn kitty’s language, you’ll be talking tail like an expert in no time, bringing you and your feline companion’s relationship to greater understanding and happiness.

Ellyce Rothrock spent half her life with Flea, a Maine Coon who lived to be 21 and is missed every single day. She’s currently seeking a feline friend to manage Fritz and Mina, her German Shepherd Dog rescues. She’s lucky enough to live her passion for pets as a 25-year member of the pet media industry.

Editor’s note: Have you seen the new Catster print magazine in stores? Or in the waiting area of your vet’s office? Click here to subscribe to Catster and get the bimonthly magazine delivered to your home.

Yes, your website has been very helpful. A question is it normal for the cats to jump on tables and cupboards. Is there a good suggestion to keep them off? Is it normal for cats to look out the window and sit on the ledge? Thank you for your ideas.

Yes its normal for cats to jump onto the table and cupboards. From the start I say a firm deeper voiced “off” which usually works. The cat will get to know it shouldn’t be on table and cupboards and respond to “off” quicker over time. A cat, being a cat will most likely always get on furniture you do not want it to. My laid-back and obstinate Burmese never took any notice of my commands. A spray bottle of water works too. One squirt of water and the cat will move and in time just the sight of the spray bottle will be enough! Do not use a spray bottle if you need to spritz your cat for grooming because cat needs to enjoy grooming not be deterred from it. Also, do not try to push a cat off any furniture because she will most likely hold on to anything she can and and things will be on the floor with her!

Yes, cats love to look out the window especially to see birds and little creatures, practice their hunting noises and attitudes same as the window ledge. Windows are their view to the world just like ours, especially if a cat is indoors only.

Please, let us drop the term owners when referring tomour animal friends. They are our companions. The slave mentality has been superceded by conscious onter-species relationships. They are my cats, i am their human friend.

After observing many cats over the years I have come to believe tails are more sensitive and versatile than readily apparent. All my cats have done arm and leg “wraps.” During quiet stroking, they would use their tail to very gently explore my hand and arm It seemed as if they might be checking my temperature, texture and position as well as simply showing affection. Two other brief observations: All my cats have liked music, often laying near the speakers I provided for them. All preferred “easy listening,” non-vocal music on my cable music-only channel . Finally, about drinking from faucets. I have found that when my cats eat and drink, they leave surprising amounts of saliva behind. They would seek fresh water mostly when I neglected to thoroughly wash and rinse their dinnerware. I thought perhaps they disliked the odor of stale saliva. They usually stopped using a faucet when a very large water bowl freshened twice daily was offered.

Cat tail indications are inexact at best. They often vary with breed, current disposition, socialization and other subtle factors. I feed a feral cat who is socialized only to me. Her body language and tail indications differ markedly from my indoor-only kittie. This would all suggest that you spend lots of quality time with your cat and learn its signs and signals. You will find that they are many and marvelous

You didn’t mention tail tapping….. While lying content, I’ve noticed just before falling asleep, a light tapping of the tail. I’ve also seen them do it when they’re just sitting… looking like they’re just thinking, not getting ready to attach or anything thing.

My kitty, Jackson, does that too. I think it might be a “leftover” from before he was neutered. The tail goes up and then it “shakes” or quivers – the same way it does when they are spraying to mark territory. Thankfully, he doesn’t actually spray anymore! I think it is a “this is mine” gesture.

YES. MY TAFFY GREETS ME EVERY EVENING WHEN I COME HOME. HE COMES BARRELING DOWN THE BREEZEWAY WITH HIS TAIL STRAIGHT UP WITH THE CROOK AT THE TIP. WHEN I OPEN THE DOOR HE RUBS HIS HEAD AND TAIL AGAINST MY LEG LETTING ME KNOW HE IS HAPPY TO SEE ME BUT HE WANTS TO EAT. NOWW! LOL! I GO TO MY BEDROON TO TAKE OFF MY COAT AND CLOTHES, HE FOLLOWS BEHIND ME AND RUBS AGAIN AND THEN LEAVES OUT AND WAIT FOR ME IN THE HALL, GIVING ME A “I’LL WAIT FOR YOU FOR A MINUTE” LOOK. HE IS ADORABLE!!

My kitty Sunshine is the only cat I’ve ever known who loops her tail back towards her neck until it’s about an inch above and parallel to her back. She seems to do this when she is happiest and most comfortable. So it is a positive sign from Sunshine! ????

Wonderful website! I though in the beginning that it may offer the simple stuff but found more detailed information. I reside in Bermuda and help the homeless/feral felines; I will market your website for all cat and non-cat owners.. Thank you for what you do.